That thecommonplace paper “ though fundamental for the written word “ can be turnedinto something exotic, is shown by paper craft lovers such as Lorraine Kwatra.She has been crafting beautiful creations out of paper with techniques ofequally exotic names “ Pergamano (also known as parchment craft), paper quilling,origami and punch craft “ for 18 years now.
“When I visitedSingapore in 1994, I was bowled over by the parchment craft I saw in a littleshop there. I returned home and learnt all these crafts from a certifiedPergamano teacher in Mumbai,” says Kwatra, who went on to become a certifiedPergamano teacher herself. Pergamano is the art of creating intricate designson parchment paper using specialised tools for embossing, perforating andcutting. The end product has the appearance delicate lace and can be framed orused on cards and books covers. Parchment is translucent and designs arecreated by making the desired parts opaque, using embossing tools.
Paper quillinginvolves rolling strips of coloured paper around a quilling tool. The resultingcoils are arranged to form various designs. “One of my students has gainedpopularity for the quilling jewellery she makes,” says Kwatra. Origami is theJapanese art of folding paper. Kwatra has made several 3D forms by sticking manysmall pieces of folded paper. Using punching tools to make flowers, hearts andleaves and creating designs of the punched out paper is called punch craft.
Other craft suchas lamasa and foil art are seen among Kwatra’s spellbinding collection. “Lamasainvolves making dough out of flour and other ingredients. This dough can bemoulded into various figures and forms and coloured,” says Kwatra. “Thecreations last for many years if they are maintained,” she continues. Foil artmakes use of a black foil from which the black layer is carefully scraped offto create various designs which look like 3D when exposed to light.
Kwatra alsomakes designer paper bags in shapes of a baby’s dress, cradle, bodice, etc. Thepassion for paper craft is evident when she concludes, “Pergamano and other craftlike origami are so vast and there is so much one can do, I will require manylifetimes to learn all of it.”
